NAF seeks locally driven solutions to security challenges
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has said the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) will pursue locally driven solutions in addressing the nation’s security challenges.
Air Marshal Abubakar said this at the NAF Research and Development Competition and Exhibition as part of activities marking the NAF’s 61st Anniversary in Abuja yesterday.
According to the NAF chief, in a rapidly changing world, anticipating, adapting and innovating are crucial for transforming the NAF into an agile and resilient force that effectively meets national security demands in all operational environments.
He said the competitions and exhibitions served as impetus to push the boundaries of their abilities and expertise to greater heights.
The CAS said: “NAF plays a central role in defending our nation’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The demands for locally driven solutions become increasingly urgent.
“In response, the service has made steady progress through dedicated research, development and innovation, emerging as a national leader in aerospace advancements.
“For instance, the development of rockets and launchers, heat shields, weaponization of aircraft, retrofitting of unserviceable rockets, production of blank firing adapters and the various unmanned aerial systems prototypes.
“This, coupled with innovative human capacity development in science, technology and innovation, are a few examples of creativity and technical skills acquired by the NAF over the years.
“These feats have indeed helped in sustaining our operations in the various theaters across the country.
“In recognition of the vital place of research and development, we have recently installed eight assorted computer and numerical control machines at the Air Force Research and Development Institute in Oshogbo.”
Air Marshal Abubakar said that the production of six unmanned aerial vehicles, in collaboration with UAVision of Portugal, was expected to be completed and operational in the last quarter of the year.
He added that other steps taken to enhance research and development include selecting and funding five best projects from the last inter-command research and development competition.
“These projects when completed will be deployed in appropriate rules with a view to monitoring and constantly improving the performance of the initial photo types.
“I want to assure you that some of the outstanding projects on display today will similarly attract funding towards the operationalisation.
“In the spirit of civil military cooperation, let me use this opportunity to encourage members of the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria to take a look at some of these projects with a view to partnering with the Nigerian Air Force for their operationalisation and possible commercialisation.
“Through this approach, we can incrementally advance our promising innovations towards expeditious completion, operationalisation and sale to both local and potential foreign customers.”
In his remarks, the Executive Vice Chairman, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Khalil Halilu, said the R&D Competition and Exhibition exemplified NAF’s commitment to innovation, self-reliance and technological advancement.
Halilu said the NAF had consistently led the charge in harnessing research and development to strengthen Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
